| e we look at how a hypoallergenic dog food can help | | | | Minimal Ingredients |
| with your dog's food allergy, let's take a quick look at | | | | What is meant by minimal ingredients is that there |
| dog food allergy symptoms and then what a | | | | should only be a few ingredients in the dog food |
| hypoallergenic food is. | | | | ingredient label. Fewer ingredients, as well as fewer |
| So how do you know if your dog has food allergies | | | | colorings and flavorings, are important while trying to |
| or sensitivities? Common signs are constant itching, | | | | discover what is causing your dog's food allergy |
| hot spots, pawing at the mouth, diarrhea, | | | | symptoms. By having only a few ingredients, you |
| constipation, and excessive gas. If you feed your | | | | might even be able to completely cut out your dog's |
| dog the same food, this will be constant. If you vary | | | | food allergy trigger! |
| your dog's food, then it may come and go with the | | | | Un-Common Ingredients |
| offending ingredient. | | | | Possibly one of the most important aspects of a |
| Now, what exactly is a hypoallergenic dog food? It is | | | | hypoallergenic food for dogs is that is will not use |
| simply a dog food produced with the following types | | | | common protein sources or grain sources, since |
| of ingredients: 1) high quality, 2) minimal, and 3) | | | | these are the most allergens of a dog's food allergies. |
| un-common. | | | | Lamb, bison, and salmon are some of the different |
| So how will this help with your dog's food allergies? | | | | types of protein sources used. Grains will not include |
| High-Quality Ingredients | | | | the most common grains, like corn and wheat. |
| Although debatable, many canine nutritionists feel | | | | Instead, grains like oatmeal, millet, and brown rice will |
| that by serving the same inferior quality dog food | | | | be used. |
| every day may actually be the cause for your dog's | | | | By removing common meats and grains, and replacing |
| food allergy. The inferior quality (i.e. low cost) dog | | | | them with ones that your dog has not had, or had |
| foods are made with lots of grain fillers, grain | | | | very often, you may well be able to control the food |
| by-products, and meat by-products. And by serving | | | | allergies. |
| the same low quality foods, day after day, your dog | | | | When your dog is showing signs of dog food |
| is not getting what he needs to keep a healthy and | | | | allergies, you really should try a hypoallergenic dog |
| strong immune system, that can fight off simple | | | | food with all new meat and grain sources from his |
| allergens. | | | | usual dog food. This way you are more likely to not |
| Irregardless of whether you agree with the above | | | | give the ingredient that is causing all the trouble, but |
| debate, feeding a higher quality dog food, like | | | | you will be feeding your dog a much healthier dog |
| hypoallergenic dog foods, with make your dog | | | | food which will, in turn, help him cope with his food |
| healthier, which makes them better able to fight off | | | | problems easier. |
| the food allergens. | | | | |